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Batavia man accused of shaking baby and causing serious injury to the infant

By Howard B. Owens

A Batavia man is accused of shaking a baby so hard that he caused serious injuries to the 15-month-old infant.

Dietrich Williams, of 14 Hutchins Place, Batavia, was indicted by the grand jury yesterday on charges of assault in the first degree and reckless assault of a child.

The incident allegedly occurred around June 20 or June 21.

Williams is being held in Genesee County Jail without bail.

The indictment reads that Williams acted "under circumstances evincing a depraved indifference to human life, recklessly engaged in conduct which created grave risk of death to another person, and thereby caused serious physical injury to another person.

Williams reportedly slammed or threw the child "so as to impact the child's head on a hard surface."

The baby has not been identified nor were details supplied on the nature and extend of the infant's injuries.

Arraignment has been set for July 7 at 9 a.m. in County Court.

bud prevost

Unbelievable, I'm speechless as to how anyone could harm a child, especially a baby! Please God, watch over your child and let that child heal, both physically and emotionally. Unreal

Jul 1, 2009, 12:55pm Permalink
Karen Miconi

Dispicable is the only word that comes to mind. What a monster!! There is a website, on myspace, with 100's of pics, and stories of {children} the innocent victims of shaken baby syndrome. Its so sad, it will rip at your heart. There needs to be stiffer penalties for the inhumaine criminals that do this to children.

Jul 1, 2009, 2:38pm Permalink
Peter O'Brien

I was once accused (though never arrested or indicted, just investigated) of this crime.

My friend (and boss at the time) went to a neighbors house on the Friday after Thanksgiving for a party. His baby was crying a lot that night. We were the last two at his party and we were planning on playing some old school Atari when the baby started up again. After a few minutes the baby was still crying and he came back downstairs and told us he wouldn't be able to play with us because of her. We respected it and left. No big deal.

The next day, the man's wife (who had been asleep), woke and saw bruises all over her baby. She called my friends wife and asked her to come look. My friend's wife callled the cops. The man indicated that my friend and I must have done it. The cops questioned us individually. Our stories obviously matched and the man's did not. He eventually admitted to it.

My point is lets wait and see evidence before we jump to a conclusion.

Jul 1, 2009, 1:28pm Permalink
Gabor Deutsch

I agree with Howard and Peter. It's not like this story was posted for you to comment about it's just news. Thank goodness the words : " British Nanny" wasnt involved.

Jul 1, 2009, 1:32pm Permalink
bud prevost

It's not like this story was posted for you to comment about it's just news.

Gabor, I jumped to no conclusions. Obviously, a child is hurt badly, and obviously someone needs to be held accountable for their actions. And if there are stories that Howard doesn't want opinion on, I'll let Howard decide that.
BTW, a little prayer for you for compassion towards a child is coming your way. You may need it.

Jul 1, 2009, 1:37pm Permalink
Gabor Deutsch

I think ya missed my point. I ooze compassion. My downfall is emotionally posting when I read certain "allegations". The internet provides printed words for interactive comments and then when u comment you get well attacked (dont forget were ur news comes from). If I believed everything posted I would vote for public hangings and bring my camera.

Jul 1, 2009, 1:57pm Permalink
Howard B. Owens

Don't misunderstand -- I didn't delete anybody's comments. But I thought I should just remind everybody he hasn't been convicted yet. Whomever did this to this baby deserves whatever punishment the courts impose, but it's important to remember that nobody has been convicted yet.

Jul 1, 2009, 1:59pm Permalink
Howard B. Owens

Karen, it's worth noting -- we don't know who else was present. Based on the information available at this time, for all we know, 100 other people were present. Or none, not even the suspect. We just don't know. There is nothing black and white about it based on available information.

Jul 1, 2009, 3:13pm Permalink
Adam Lowder

Nothing fills me with anger like hearing news stories like this. Any "person" that could abuse a child has no business walking around free on this earth. In respect to our judicial system, I am not referring to the defendant specifically, but to those who are guilty in general. A 15 month old baby is no match for an adult; perhaps a few 330 pound guys in prison will be a better match for them. They "love" child abusers. GOD HELP US ALL! BRING US PEACE PLEASE LORD!

Jul 1, 2009, 5:09pm Permalink
Stephanie Armstrong

This is a tragedy. I hope that the community can focus on the needs of this family right now. Not only has the baby girl been severely injured, but there are five other small children and a single mother trying to get through this. These kids are suffering tremendously right now and mom is trying to take care of all of them and maintain her job to support them. Our community should be offering any help to this family that we can. God be with them and my thoughts and prayers go out to them.

Jul 1, 2009, 8:48pm Permalink

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